Page 23 of Never Beguile a Duke

“Mrs. Aylett agreed to care for Mrs. Webb this evening, Your Grace,” he said, placing the bundle on the floor and then moving the tray to a small table. “Your guests are hungry and waiting for their host to begin the banquet.”

Winifred lifted the top coverlet and shook out the soft material. “I’m certain Mrs. Aylett’s workload is quite heavy this evening. I can see to my mother.”

“You promised!” Miss Juliette’s outburst drew every eye to her tiny face; she flushed and glanced down.

Before the Duke of Beaufort intervened, Winifred set the blanket on the bed, glided over to Miss Juliette, and knelt. “I apologize for having to break my word. However, I’m certain you understand the direness of this situation.”

“And I,” she continued before Miss Juliette voiced a second protest, “hoped I could give you an important task.”

“Of course,” Miss Juliette replied, lifting her head and locking her solemn gaze on Winifred.

“Since I’ll be unable to attend the banquet, someone will need to sneak food from the dining hall and deliver the nourishment to me.” Winifred tilted her head. “Do you know anyone skillful enough to complete that errand?”

Miss Juliette’s hazel eyes brightened, and she nodded. “I can do it.”

The Duke of Beaufort appeared beside Winifred and took her hand, helping her rise. “You’ll let Mr. Aylett know if your mother’s condition worsens.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Winifred curtsied.

He departed without another word, followed by Miss Juliette, Mr. Aylett, and, after a long minute, Nora, who hovered in the doorway, her body locked halfway between the chamber and corridor.

“If anything happens to Amelia, will you advise me before you speak with Mr. Aylett?” she asked, her honey-hued eyes sliding to their mother.

“I swear.”

“I know.” Nora chuckled. “I do too, on occasion.”

Winifred burst out laughing. “Would you bring some negus when you return?”

“I’ll bring you two cups.” Holding up the matching number of fingers, Nora grinned, then disappeared into the corridor and closed the door behind her.

Lifting the crumpled blanket, Winifred spread the coverlet over her mother and tucked the edges around the older woman’s still form.

“Who did this to you?” Winifred asked, grabbing a second covering from the pile and laying the heavy blanket over the first. “I can’t imagine what danger would have driven you from Father’s house.”

Her mother didn’t respond, but her jaw unclenched, and Winifred took the unconscious action as an indication she should add two more coverlets to the growing mound of luxurious material.

“Is it truly that dangerous to live alone?” Winifred selected a cloth from the tray and dipped the material into a bowl of steaming water.

Dragging the fabric across her mother’s forehead, Winifred wiped away a layer of dried blood, then returned the rag to the bowl, staining the water crimson.

“If I had been present,” Winifred said, wringing out the cloth, “would we both have suffered this horrific fate? Or could I have prevented it?”

She daubed the saturated edge beneath her mother’s eyes and shuddered. “Perhaps I should consider your offer to return to Father’s residence after Nora’s wedding.”

The door flew open, smashing into the wall, and Winifred screamed, leaping from the bed and knocking the tray off the table. The contents flew across the chamber and landed at the feet of Miss Juliette, whose face paled at the realization of the chaos she’d caused.

Cringing, Miss Juliette dropped to her knees and set a heaping plate of food on the floor beside her. She collected the fallen cloths, absorbing the water soaking into the rug as she dragged the rags closer.

Keeping her eyes locked on the floor, she murmured, “Please don’t tell Father.”

“I won’t say one word,” Winifred replied, picking up the tray and placing the metal platter in front of Miss Juliette. “However, I will need you to retrieve more water and bandages.”

Miss Juliette nodded her head so violently, it blurred.

“When I return, may I tell you about my introduction?” she asked, raising her tear-filled eyes to Winifred.

“Only if you agree to consume some of the nourishment you pilfered,”—the word drew a smile to Miss Juliette’s lips—“from the banquet. You’ve brought entirely too much food for one person.”